Context (References)
Illustrated in Webster, W.D. (1901) Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnological Specimens. European and Eastern Arms and Armour. Prehistoric and Other Curiosities, Vol. 5, No. 29.

Captioned as '38. (11341) Portion of a bronze ceremonial staff, representing a male and female figure back to back, at the top and base are three leopards and three chameleons, 11 1/2 inches high. £7.10.0." (p. 55)'
Event Date 1901
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Register gives the Webster sale number as 'W. 11341'.
Event Date 1902
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Museum label notes '1902.441 / Part of a Bronze Staff / Benin / W. D. Webster, Esq' is adhered to the object.
Event Date 1902
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Description (Labels & Markings)
The number 'W. 11341' has been written on the object
Event Date 1902
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Context (Acquisition Details)
Donated by William Downing Webster (1868-1913), a dealer in ethnography who distributed hundreds of looted Benin works of art to European museums. Given the early date of 1902 and Webster’s acquisition from auctions and Expedition members, it is likely his personal donation of Benin material was also acquired as part of the Expedition. This has therefore been added to the source field with queries to indicate the lack of available data for a definite provenance.’
Event Date 1902
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card notes: "Upper portion of staff, (fine bronze casting), with two figures, male and female, standing back to back, the former holding a stone celt in his left hand and a stick with a human head in his right. These figures merge at either end into a six-fold cluster of short cylinders which bear alternately a leopard and a chameleon."
Event Date 6/1902
Author: maa

Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2017.3828 | Remedial
Event Date 5/4/2017
Author: Ruth Watson

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1902 E 441 | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / Upper portion of STAFF (fine bronze casting) with two figures, male and female, standing back to back, the former holding a stone celt in his left hand and a stick with a human head in this right. These figures merge at either end into a six fold cluster of short cylinders which bear alternately a leopard and a chameleon. (L. 11") / Benin W. Africa / Mr. W.D. Webster | R 1903 248"

Red circular sticker in bottom right of catalogue card.
Event Date 24/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date 24/8/2020
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Upper portion of a staff, of fine bronze casting, with two figures, male and female, standing back to back, the former holding a stone celt in his proper left hand and a long stick with a human head in his proper right. The female figure has uncovered breasts, and is holding a short stick in her proper right hand and a round object resembling a cowrie in her proper left hand. Both figures have vertical incisions on their stomach and their belly button is incised. They are both dressed in skirts, but in different styles. The male figure has a pouch on the proper left side of his skirt. The figures are separated by two oval-shaped high-relief motifs, with an undulated frill hanging from the lower oval motif, on each side. These figures merge at either end into a six-fold cluster of short cylinders which bear alternately a leopard and a chameleon.
Event Date 2/9/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Context (Amendments / updates)
'14th - 19th century' has been added to the period field.
Event Date 2/9/2021
Author: Benjamina Dadzie